Category Archives: 1970s

Director Alfred Hitchock appears on ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, Movies 1970s, Television 1970s

(Thursday, June 8, 1972) — Film director and producer Alfred Hitchock appeared on tonight’s ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ on ABC-TV, making the memorable quote: “Puns are the highest form of literature.” (Click here to watch complete interview, part 1 | part 2? | part 3? | part 4?

2,000 fans attempt to crash first Rolling Stones’ gig of 1972 North American tour 40 years ago tonight (1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Audio: 'Gimme Shelter' (June 3, 1972)

(Saturday, June 3, 1972) — The Rolling Stones tonight began their first North American Tour since 1969 in Vancouver, British Columbia, where 31 policemen were treated for injuries when more than 2,000 fans attempted to crash the Pacific Coliseum.

Plane trouble delays Nixon’s departure from Moscow 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: May 29, 1972 (at 3:18)

(Monday, May 29, 1972, during the Cold War) — President Richard Nixon landed at Kiev’s Boryspil International Airport one hour late today after an engine failed to start on the plane which his Russian hosts had provided him for the trip from Moscow. It was Nixon’s last stop on the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to the Soviet Union.

Apollo 16 right on target as 11-day mission ends 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, space exploration


Video: Apollo 16 on Apr. 27, 1972 (at 25:10)

(Thursday, April 27, 1972, 2:45 p.m. EST) — Three U.S. astroanuts splashed down with unparalleled accuracy in the Pacific today, concluding the 11-day flight of Apollo 16 in gentle blue seas about 1,520 miles south of Honolulu. Commander John W. Young and his rookie spacemen, Charles M. Duke Jr. and Thomas K. “Ken” Mattingly, pronounced themselves in “outstanding” condition.

Commander reflects as Apollo 16 streaks towards splashdown 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s, space exploration


Video: Apollo 16 on Apr. 26, 1972 (at 24:58)

(Wednesday, April 26, 1972) — As Apollo 16 streaked toward a splashdown in the South Pacific, its commander, John W. Young, proclaimed in a press conference from space today: “We’ve seen as much in 10 days as most poeple see in 10 lifetimes.”

Apollo 16 astronaut Mattingly makes walk in space 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, space exploration


Video: Apollo 16 on Apr. 25, 1972 (at 24:20)

(Tuesday, April 25, 1972, 3:47 p.m. EST) — A floating “walk” in space and a mid-course rocket firing kept the Apollo 16 astronauts busy today as they sped smoothly away from the moon on their homeward journey to earth.

Apollo 16 crew completes linkup; Moon explorers headed for home 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, space exploration


Video: Apollo 16 on Apr. 23, 1972 (at 19:31)

(Sunday, April 23, 1972, 10:35 p.m. EST) — Apollo 16 explorers rocketed away from the Moon today at 8:26 p.m. EST and sped into Moon orbit with rocks geologists believe were formed by early lunar volcanoes, thus achieving their primary goal. The men then linked with the command ship at 10:35 p.m. EST and began preparing for the long trip home.

Earlier in the day, John W. Young and Charles M. Duke, Jr., conducted a third and final expedition on the lunar surface for 5 hours and 40 minutes, driving their Moon buggy at a speed of 11 miles per hour.

Astronauts rocket Apollo 16 spacecraft into Moon orbit 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, space exploration


Video: Apollo 16 burn into lunar orbit (at 3:18)

(Wednesday, April 19, 1972) — Apollo 16 astronauts rocketed into orbit of the Moon today and began a six-day scientific exploration. The spacemen and their craft were fit and ready for the challenge after a 240,000-mile voyage from Earth.

“Hello Houston. Sweet 16 has arrived,” commander John W. Young announced as the spacecraft emerged from behind the moon at 3:44 p.m. EST.